Mall chaos leaves Lotus Wellbeing Centre off-colour

After running Lotus Wellbeing Centre on Crown Street for 25 years, owner Delyse Wright could face closure in three months.

"I've had a 50 per cent drop in retail trade and our foot traffic has been severely impacted," she said. "The other thing that has made the situation very difficult is that I feel it is unethical for me to advertise, because I'm asking people to come into an environment and experience wellness and relaxation, but how can I provide that at the moment?

"I will hold on for as long as I can, but if nothing changes I think I've got three months."

Ms Wright has told council staff of her concerns, but her pleas have been met with little help. "[The staff I have spoken to] are very empathetic, which I think is genuine, but they are not the decisionmakers so I don't know why they are being sent to appease businesses," she said.

"The council would have known the impact on local businesses and there should have been provision made to support us in some way."

According to a council spokesman, the council gave "clear information about the works, and the extent of the refurbishment".

"It's important that this place ... is attractive, offers a great variety of uses, and also adds to the safety and economic development of the entire city," he said.